Sea Thrift

Growing along the rugged cliff tops of Scotland’s Bullers of Buchan are thousands of armeria maritima plants, also called sea pinks or sea thrift. Their candy-pink flowers bob in the winds, enjoying the breeze and sunshine. The plant featured on the British thrupenny bit from 1937-1952, a coin of a little value, and so sea thrift was thought an appropriate emblem to be milled thereon.

Wild flowers cost us nothing, yet they often bring the most pleasure. There is nothing wrong with regimented rows of French marigold, and beds of regularly pruned pansies and petunia. Yet on those lofty ledges and plateaus, these wild plants add a beauty that surpasses anything found in suburbia. Along with red campions, sea thrift seemed to giggle as it danced about, enjoying the thrill of so exalted and dangerous a habitat.

We measure ‘things’ by how much they cost. The more expensive the car, the more desirable it is. The dearer the item, the happier it will make us. Yet often, the best things in life are free: fresh air, wild flowers, walking a hill, catching up with friends, visiting family. To this list, we Christians might add salvation itself.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2)